Thread: Please help - Extending stay as a visitor in Canada

Hi Folks,

Next week I´ll have been in Toronto for 6 months and therefore need to extend my stay. I sent off my application for Permanent Residency (via common-law partner sponsorship) a little over a month ago. Should I mention this when I apply for my extension? Would it be better to apply online or paper form? Also, I have a problem showing how I am able to support myself for the extenion. In reality, my boyfriend (who is a student with a student loan) is covering both our expenses until I become a permanent resident and am able to work). I suppose I could ask him to print a copy of his bank statement. Would this suffice? My bank statement wouldn´t help my case as it isn´t looking very healthy! Also, does it matter that I haven´t applied 30 days before my 6 months expires? The expiry date is actually 21st March although I didn´t get a stamp in my passport when I arrived so I have no passport stamps to show.

Not sure what the easiest option is for me.

Any advice/comments much appreciated.

Cheers.

Hey there Deb,

Good to hear from you again! :)


I know there are a few Canadians here that will be able to answer some of those questions for you.
Not at all familiar with the Canadian system myself, but looking on the Canada Immigration website, would you be more likely to get your permanment residency based on the "conjugal partner" sponsorship rather than common-law-spouse? Just noticing the time frame etc, seems like you weren't actually "living together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year in a continuous 12-month period that was not interrupted" as is required for the common law spouse application, whereas you don't necessarily have to been in that situation for the conjugal partnership sponsorship.

Good luck with it all, and hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along soonish!

all the best

purps

Hi Purps,

We lived together for more than a year before we came to Canada so that´s why I´m doing the sponsorship route! Just wondered about the easiest way to extend my stay as a visitor whilst waiting for my PR as I am worried they might refuse my application if I can´t show proof of money to support myself during the waiting time.

Cheers - Deb

Hey Deb,

Yeah, I got "why" you were doing it, just trying to understand if it was the right category of sponsorship given the terms that were applied, thats all. ;)

I'm sure that someone else will be able to answer the easiest way of extending your stay, but maybe a call to the CIC would help?
Usually I'd say that it would make a difference if you didn't apply for the extension 30 days before the expiry, however the fact that you've applied for PR may make a difference.
I'm not sure if they will ask the question, but did you apply for the PR sponsorship 30 days before the expiry date of your current visa?
Also I guess what might be more relevant is, do you have confirmation paperwork from the CIC to show that you have applied for PR status via sponsorship?
Try this link -
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca....aspx?lang=eng

Yes, I have a CIC receipt number which I´ll be sure to give them should they ask. I think I´m going to send the application via the postal way (which gives me a bit more time). That way, if they refuse me because of lack of proof of funds then it won´t be much longer before I should receive my PR!

Thanks for your help Purps!

Deb